Well-known local radio and TV personality Cynthia Hardy was arrested for drug possession while entering the South Carolina State Fair on Wednesday, according to the Richland County Sheriff's Department.JustMore >>

Well-known local radio and TV personality Cynthia Hardy was arrested for drug possession while entering the South Carolina State Fair on Wednesday, according to the Richland County Sheriff's Department.More >>

COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) -

In an interview with WACH FOX57, well-known local radio and TV personality Cynthia Hardy explained the events that led to a marijuana citation at the South Carolina State Fair.

"Today has been a trying and very interesting day, but it's also been a day that has really touched me," Hardy said. "I've had so much love and support coming from so many unexpected places. On the other hand, too, it reminds me of this tremendous responsibility that I have in the community and how important the public trust is."

Just before noon on Wednesday, Hardy arrived at the fair to tape an independent talk show that airs on WACH FOX 57, Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott said.

"When I presented at the fair grounds and they went through my purse, they found half a joint of marijuana … they wrote me a ticket for simple possession," Hardy said.

Hardy said she gave the deputy her explanation on why she had the joint.

"The sheriff's department was doing their job, they were professional, they weren't anything but professional," she said.

A very candid Hardy stopped short of explaining why she had the joint.

"Those details are very important and I can't talk about them specifically right now, but I do want people to know that the media isn't really the place to have the discussion in that way," she said.

Hardy added there will be a court date and at that time, the appropriate information will be shared.

"I regret the misunderstanding and unfortunate turn of events at the SC State Fair," said hardy in an emailed statement to WIS. "I ask for your support during this time as I look forward to my day in court."

"There are extenuating circumstances, but none of them really satisfy because at the end of the day, this is a very embarrassing situation for me, a very embarrassing situation for my family and I regret it very much," she said.

Hardy is an avid mentor of young women throughout the Midlands and says she doesn't approve of marijuana use.

"I don't condone marijuana usage at all," she said. "Especially the illegal use of marijuana, and I realize there's a debate that's waging across the country about decriminalization but at this time marijuana is illegal in the state of South Carolina and nobody's suppose to have it. I shouldn't have had it on my person, I just should not have had it, but I did. And because I did, I got ticketed for it and I was asked to leave the fairgrounds."

Hardy asked viewers and her listeners to withhold judgment until all of the information is out.

"People are rightfully disappointed, they should be," she said. "I don't take lightly the role and responsibilities to mentor young people, especially young girls and so I recognize how potentially damaging this can be but what I'll say to people is that things are not always what they seem and I wish they would try to withhold judgment until they have all of the information and hopefully we will be able to put this behind us."

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